Just Saying - The BRIEF Lab

Latest Episodes
Ep. 247 – HBR article review: overcoming collaboration overkill
In this installment, I summarize two related Harvard Business Review articles that tackle the excesses of collaboration. In one, Microsoft leaders reveal research that brought them much closer to the
Ep. 246 – Should I or shouldn’t you?
Imagine if someone at work approached you and said, “you should proof-read your e-mails before sending them.” Or picture a family member or friend saying, “you shouldn’t eat out so much.” In general,
Ep. 245 – When your answers aren’t good enough
Imagine if your boss told your team in a very calm, matter-of-fact tone that your answers just weren’t good enough. In this episode, I share how this very incident happened to a corporate leader and h
Ep. 244 – Afraid of writing
Some people approach any writing assignment with trepidation and apprehension. Can I get my point across? Will I be able to say it the right way? What can I do if I’m not sure of my ability to convey
Ep. 243 – When is more enough?
A random experience having lunch at Jimmy John’s got me thinking about a deep problem: why aren’t we ever satisfied? In this episode, I unpack a provocative quote hanging at a local fast-food sandwich
Ep. 242 – The minimum definition of success
How can you become more realistic and grounded when you communicate and interact with people? Are you setting your sights consistently way too high? Have you become an all-or-nothing person in your ex
Ep. 241 – Feeling obligated to always be available
You can’t lead effectively if you’re always getting interrupted. In this episode, I share a recent conversation with a rising leader and one from my days as a marketing executive to shed some light on
Ep. 240 – Why people make bad decisions
Whether you’re the decision maker or someone recommending or influencing decisions, there’s a hidden reason why people make poor choices. In a fast-paced, noisy world, people invest little or no sched
Call back EP – NOISE Filter: Our 1st and last thought of the day
Call back EP Episode 126 – NOISE Filter: Our 1st and last thought of the day Preparing what we think at the start and end our day not only serves as a powerful bookends to manage the noise but also se
Ep. 239 – Mental theft
What is the personal cost of a distraction and disruption? How do you value when and where you pay attention? If attention is your most valuable resource, how do you react when it is stolen and squand